After four delightful days onboard the QUEEN MARY 2 and dining in the Princess Grill we hoped to continue our vacation experience in a top notch Ft. Lauderdale hotel. I chose the Lago Mar because of its location near the ships' entrance in and out of Port Everglades. It is a bit away from other hotels and restaurants, but I realized that when I booked the room. Without a car, and needing to rely on taxis or walking, this secluded location can be troublesome.

I was very impressed with the welcome from the front desk, and even though it was only 10 AM our room was ready. The physical plant and grounds are well maintained, and the front desk staff very helpful. The room was clean, spacious, and the amenities in the room of high quality.

My complaint , and it would stop me from returning to this hotel again, is the poor food and service in the dining room. The food was very expensive, and the service indifferent at best. The quality and delivery of the food was not what I would have expected in such a hotel nor for the $106.00 price for two. The food was uninspired, and its preparation lacking in attention to detail. The service from the waiter Guy was equally uninspired. The waiter would bring one course before the preceeding one was finished and other courses rerquired a long wait after the previous one was finished.

Also the only choice for breakfast in the dining room was a buffet. Once again the food was uninspired, and unless one is truly ravenous, in my opinion, not worth the $16.70 per person charge. Here again the service was lacking in keeping the water glasses and coffee cups full.

If one has their own transportation and is not reliant on the hotel's food service a stay at the Lago Mar could be enjoyable. If food is an important part of your vacation experience, and you must rely on others for transportation, i would think twice before staying at this property.

Okay, my family has been staying at Lago Mar every April for years and there are a few things in other reviews I would like to clear up.
First of all the resort is very clean, I have never had a problem with this. Housekeeping always has our beds made up and rooms cleaned before 1pm, they even do our dishes.
Yes the hotel charges 18% gratuity on meals and in the spa. Not for food you buy in the little grocery or in the gift shops.
As for the beach chairs there are two types, the ones they charge for are full sunbeds. There are tons of free blue canvas chairs and they do recline. They will help you carry them to a spot you like on the beach.
The staff has always been friendly and helpful, my husband was body surfing and scraped his side on the shore, the lifegaurd came right over and helped him clean it off and put on cream and a bandaid. We didn't alert him, he just saw what happened and came right over.
The bellmen are always ready to tell you the best places to eat and if there are any activities in town you might like. They saw that I was expecting my third baby last time we were there and told me about a baby fair that was at the convention center, I was able to go and got a 4D ultrasound and found out that I was having my 3rd girl! I would have had to wait 6 more weeks for my Dr to tell me that!
The hotel is great for famlies, there are tons of things to do there. My kids are 9, 4, and 1 and they always have a great time. There is a side of the hotel that is more recently renovated but the older side is still great, large clean rooms with very nice balconies.
We will never stay anywhere else in Fort Lauderdale!

I must confess that Florida is not my favorite travel destination but whenever I visit Ft. Lauderdale the Lago Mar always seems do things right – it is truly medicine for those who are troubled by the unappreciative service personnel and overbuilt tourist traps that flank the Florida shoreline.

The property is secluded away from the main strip. The staff seems to have received training from the Ritz—in presenting a pleasant attitude and overall good service. The rooms are large and most have an ocean or pool view.

What I suppose is different about the Lago Mar is that its success depends on repeat clients and club members. Therefore the property has the incentive to treat people right and serve decent food. The property feels like a country club (which I happen to like).

As a frequent traveler I am rarely impressed, in fact at times I expect bad service. At this last stay at the Lago I did experience something exceptional. In the afternoon I searched the lobby for a Wall Street Journal and asking the reception desk if they had one with no luck, I accepted that I would be reading the less interesting USA TODAY, but within 20 mins, Michael, the concierge, tracked me down and brought a crisp new Wall Street Journal to me while I was lounging poolside! The Journal is only a dollar …. but it made my day.

Just like how it’s the little things that can spoil and experience. There are little things that can be done to really make your stay exceptional.

Don't get me wrong, the Lago Mar Resort and Club is not a bad hotel. It is well-kept and clean. The staff are helpful and friendly. There is a large pool, but no hot tub... which would would have made a nice addition to the property.

There is a restaurant and a cafe or two and a bar. And, the hotel's location is right on the beach, but you must rent --pay for-- beach chairs, however. At at least 300/ night, you think you could have some free beach chairs available for guest use.

So, what is the problem? Well, the place just lacks soul. It is staid, stuffy, and, just...well... boring, really.

If you are into dry, corporate-style accommodations, that lack any real sense of design or adventure (except for, maybe, the hotel's lobby mosaics), and are willing to pay top dollar for it, then you might like this place. I, however, was less than impressed.